Trust: The Midnight Son

By Louise Warren

“If you think dying young and pretty is a plus, you are greatly mistaken, my corpse will rot and decay just as it would if I was lucky enough to grow old. In death we all end up the same.”

Dan, a human man has spent the last 21 years learning how to sacrifice Alanah and drink her blood. The problem is, he has just realized he has fallen in love with her.

Chosen at the hour of her birth, Alanah has grown up unaware that she is being closely watched by the Family of the Eternal Life. The Family provides blood on tap to vampires, with the promise of eternal life to the donors. It was a way to go underground without the blood supply being cut off.

An accidental meeting in a nightclub, is for Alanah and Dan the defining moment of their lives so far. Unable to tell her the truth, Dan finds himself protective of her, promising not to take a drop of blood from her. But with that resolution, he changes their futures forever.

In a world where Vampires are secretive, callous, evil and manipulative a young man must step up to his destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Louise Warren
• Release date: May 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458161086

Louise Warren

Louise is a mother of 2 boys, a wife and a PA!Her favourite mantra is 'Regret what you've done, not what you haven't done'Louise has loved reading about vampires for as long as she can remember, and has spent almost as long writing about them.It's not about the blood - it's about the mystery.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Vampires are as old as the human race. He said smiling at her wistfully. She looked at him with her big green eyes in shock. He continued quietly, not wanting everyone on the train to hear him. "There have always been blood drinkers, a small sect of people who chose cannibalism over all other human values. I don’t know much about it, but think of them like the difference between humans and Neanderthals; they evolved at the same time, just differently. Vampires were touched by the devil at the beginning and have lived silently next to humans ever since, feasting on the strong and able just as much as the weak and helpless, adding to our flock by feeding humans their own blood mixed with that of a vampire.

"The Highest Authority in the Universe was not happy with the way the vampires were feasting on the humans with no regard to the consequences of their actions. There were many human deaths, vampires were always stronger than humans, innate power left in them by the devil. At one point vampires outnumbered humans and the Highest Authority was so angry that his children – the human race was being obliterated by the vampires. He created the Council of Souls to take charge of eradicating vampires from the face of the earth.

The Council of Souls was unable to completely remove the vampire bloodline, although it tried for thousands of years before man became civilized in any way, the only compromise they could come up with was the decision that the darkness would be for the vampires and the sunlight for humans. Eventually the Council came to an arrangement with the Mother of the Dead – she spoke for the vampires of the time, a relatively small group of about 50 vampires. She agreed to a limit on the number of vampires and sacrificed herself to bind the deal. It was shortly after this point the Family was born. He stopped, looking out of the window for a second, letting the story permeate through her mind.

"The Family of the Eternal Life came into being over 4000 years ago when it became evident that vampires could not live peacefully next to humans, we were after all feeding off them, and co-existing happily next to them was not a realistic long term option. The Family provides blood on tap to the pure vampires, with the promise of eternal life to the taps. It was a way to go underground – in other words without littering the world with dead bodies - without the blood supply being cut off. If you give your blood freely, you are not a victim, however the Family themselves are oblivious to the fact that they serve vampires, believing instead they are living in a community dedicated to achieving the goal of Eternal Life. They are sure that by drinking blood – for as you know they not only give it to the vampires, they drink it themselves; they will obtain at the very least an eternal life through blood.

The sacrifice the Mother of the Dead made means there has never been a war of such, more skirmishes every 500 years or so. I’m afraid to say your family is already intrinsically involved in the latest skirmish.

Don’t tell me, ‘since the day I was born’? She sighed, resigned to the fact that this was true for most things over the last year or so.

Yes, but also way before, since John was born. He was the start of the new beginning. Your life has been mapped, you have certain ‘tasks’ to fulfil, so does Dan.

But I never … he never saw it coming." Alanah said, brushing away a tear.

I know, and I’m sorry about that, I wish you could have had a different destiny, but alas it is outside of my power. As part of the Family, it was kept from him that we exist. He paused before continuing. Vampires are callous, evil and manipulative creatures and will say anything to make you believe what they are saying is true, we should not be the subject of adoration and love, yet somehow that is the way humans are portraying us in this day and age. I find it both fascinating and gruesome at the same time. You yourself have seen what we do.

Should I trust you then? She asked nervously.

That’s up to you, but I assure you I have a vested interest in telling you the truth. He smiled at her, and she could see her husband in those eyes.

Then go on, please. She gestured to him to continue.

We are once again at the point where there are too many vampires. He said simply. But like I said, the Council of Souls have never been able to completely irradiate them from the earth. That is where your family comes into it, the child you carry in your womb - your human son, will be the Midnight Son and you and your vampire husband are the conduits through which his powers will be released.

CHAPTER 1

One Year Earlier

He sat at the bar and took a swig of his beer; it felt cold as it slipped smoothly down his throat. He felt a little out of place sat on his own, but he carried on sitting regardless, it felt nice being unknown in a sea of unfamiliar people. The beat of the music reverberated through his head, the multi-coloured lights and smoke giving the club an ethereal feeling. He looked idly out onto the dance floor, watching the throngs of bodies moving together to the beat.

It was then that he saw her. His eyes locked fast onto her body. He took a sharp intake of breath as he recognised her face. He had never seen her in the flesh before, only in photos, but he was aware of what the future held for her. Instinct told him he had to prevent it from happening. He gazed at her, her long milky legs tipped by stiletto shoes, her lean body covered only by a flimsy black dress, her long auburn hair flowing down her back in cascades of curls, her smile radiating over her face, eyes sparkling in the multi-coloured lights of the dance floor. Her delicate, beautiful features accentuated perfectly by the careful application of makeup. She was flawless.

His heart pounded in his chest as he walked towards her. It felt like an involuntary action that he could not stop, but he did not want to stop. He was drawn to her like a humming bird to nectar. He was entranced and wondered how to get her attention, and indeed if she would warm to his advances, she had already refused a man trying to dance with her. He need not have worried, as he approached, she smiled and looked straight at him with her kohl rimmed green eyes. They were so beautiful and big that he could not help take a deep breath in as he moved slowly closer to her. Their eyes were locked together and it seemed nothing could pull the connection apart.

The song seamlessly changed and with it the beat. There was an almost unanimous roar of appreciation across the club as more people entered the dancing space, crushing those already dancing closer together. He was pushed, unwillingly fast towards her, almost bumping into her, he stopped himself inches from her body.

Sorry! he said, leaning down a little to make sure she could hear.

That’s OK! She replied smiling, her body still moving to the beat of the music. She manoeuvred herself so that she was facing him directly, still dancing. Her attention was his alone.

Feeling conspicuous and a little embarrassed, he wasn’t a natural dancer; he began to move to the beat, holding her eyes with his gaze. She blushed timidly. Their bodies met momentarily, and then flew apart, both looking sheepishly at the other. Neither seemed to be adverse to the bodily contact, it didn’t feel foreign or wrong.

Their hips touched again, and this time he put his arms tentatively on her hips, she smiled and looked at him, seemingly comfortable. Their bodies resting gently against each other.

As the song changed once again to a slower beat, they began to move gently against each other, both staring intensely at the other. Heartbeats seemed to increase rapidly for both of them as if it were a defining moment for both of them.

You’re beautiful! He couldn’t help saying, hoping she wouldn’t take offence.

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his t-shirt, knowing her cheeks had gone red. She eventually lifted her head and looked at him again, feeling embarrassed by his words, but butterflies were fluttering in her tummy. It wasn’t just the words, it was the sincerity in his eyes.

He pulled her tighter, wondering what she was thinking. It was nice to hold her at last. They moved hesitantly together to the music until the song changed again, neither of them seemed to like this one, so they unwillingly let each other go.

May I buy you a drink? He asked in a husky voice. He waited for her response in anticipation.

She smiled and replied I don’t usually accept offers from strangers, but for you I’ll make an exception. It was her premeditated reply, but she had only ever used it once before. She looked at the man before her, and was completely attracted to him. She was more than willing to accept a drink from him.

He took her hand and led her from the dance floor to the cheering of her friends; she turned bright red in embarrassment and ignored them as best she could. They reached the bar, standing next to each other silently. The atmosphere between them was thrilling; he touched the back of her hand gently smiling as he did. He had never felt so happy in all his life.

She took the vodka and lemonade he had bought her and took a couple of tentative sips before asking: So, what’s your name? She moved her shoulder blades gently, extremely aware that only a few hours before a needle had been depositing an inky trail on her delicate skin, and she could still feel the dragging sting that had accompanied it. At least alcohol was helping to numb the ache, but she was sure she would find it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position tonight.

He had forgotten that she did not know his name, he was already aware of hers and had been since he was seven, it was tattooed into his mind, and from this moment on, into his heart. My name is Daniel, Dan to everyone, and you? He asked, already aware of what her answer would be, but knowing he had to play along otherwise he would scare her. He promised himself he would not do that to her now, there would be too much of that to come, too much that he alone could not prevent.

Alanah, Alanah Moore. She smiled angelically at him. Her heart was beginning to beat faster. Dan was doing something to her and she didn’t know what.

And what are you doing in a place like this Alanah Moore? Dan asked smiling, he touched her arm, wanting to put his around her protectively, he too felt something unexpected between them.

I’m here with my friends, Julie is about to turn 21 in about a couple of hours, so we are out drinking to celebrate. What about you? She asked inquisitively, not taking her eyes off him. Her breathing was getting shallow.

You know, out for a drink with the lads, but I seem to have lost them along the way somewhere! Are you at Uni? Dan tried to find something to say, although it was hard as unbeknownst to her he already knew pretty much everything about her. For the first time ever he felt guilty about knowing so much about her.

Yeah, I’ve just started my 3rd year studying French.

Ah! Bonjour, comment vas-tu? Dan smiled, proud he had remembered something from school!

Vous pouvez parler français? Alanah asked, her eyes smiling. Je suis très bien Merci. Et vous?

That’s about as much as I can remember! Dan laughed holding his hands up in surrender. Do you have any idea what you want to do when you graduate?

Not sure at the moment, but I’m looking at graduate jobs on the internet, there are plenty of options including working in France, teaching English as a second language. I’m going to take a trip there in a few months to scope it out, see if there are any real opportunities.

This was his chance; this was how he could rid her of her future, the hurt, pain and anguish he was sure she would go through if she stayed on her current path.

France is such a beautiful country, any idea on which region you would like to go to? Dan asked casually, taking a gulp of beer.

Loire Valley, Brittany, somewhere like that. Alanah smiled as she thought back to happy holidays with her parents and two brothers.

Sounds like a plan, spend a couple of months checking out possibilities – you’ll never want to come back! How could he tell her the real reason she should get out of the country, he knew she would never believe him; he would just have to try to persuade her this way, even though he felt like a fool pushing the fact.

I will go, but when I am ready. Alanah looked at Dan. There was something in his face that made her heart beat uncontrollably fast, she looked into his bright blue eyes and felt something strange, a feeling she had never had before. Although she did not know him, he reminded her of a reoccurring dream. Mr Perfect, the man she was destined to marry. She had never seen his face, but she believed he was always watching over her, he was her guardian angel.

She was a virgin, and had never felt she had found the right person, they had always seemed to want nothing but sex, it didn’t matter where she met them, they always seemed to want it too quickly, romance didn’t seem to be in their vocabulary and she wasn’t prepared to give it away to just anyone. But Dan seemed different, he seemed kind and interested in her, and this was beyond unusual. Generally men who asked her if she wanted a drink were after one thing, and one thing only. Maybe this was the person she would choose to take away her innocence and turn her into a woman.

Alanah smiled, she was very attracted to him in the first place, and his chivalrous but attentive attitude towards her made him even more alluring. She looked at his tanned face, the little crow’s feet around his vivid blue eyes when he smiled and felt her heart fluttering, she looked at his dark brown hair, and wanted to run her fingers through it.

Dan smiled at her, unsure of what to say next. Strangely it didn’t seem to matter that neither of them could find anything to say, they seemed totally at ease in each other’s company, as if they had known each other for years.

This feeling piled more guilt onto his shoulders. He had spent over 20 years learning how to kill her, and here he was feeling protective of her life. ‘I will not sacrifice her. I would rather die myself than take a drop of blood from her body.’ Dan thought to himself. And with that thought he had changed the course of not only Alanah’s life, he had set himself on a course of destiny he could never have imagined. He began to relax, convinced he was on the right path. He decided to forget everything he had been taught about Alanah and start fresh tonight. He would not be her stalker. He would be himself.

Their bodies met again, as they leaned against the bar. Dan couldn’t help but lean forward and gently kiss her lips. It was natural for Alanah to kiss him back. Alanah giggled as the kiss ended.

Sorry, was that too much? Dan asked seriously, taken back by his own forwardness, he leaned away not wanting to alarm her.

Strangely no, I don’t usually let myself get too carried away with a complete stranger!

Intriguing! I seem to have some sort of power over you! Dan laughed. He wrapped his arms around Alanah.

I wouldn’t go that far, but you do have a certain charm.

I won’t push my luck, I promise. He said sincerely, but smiled brightly.

Thank you, that’s very gentlemanly, but don’t be too much of a gentleman, I quite liked it! Alanah smiled blushing.

Dan bent down again and gently kissed her forehead. Alanah smiled to herself, ‘Strange how this stranger feels like home’ she lifted her head and let him kiss her lips, his stubble stinging a little as he responded enthusiastically.

There was an explosion of cheers and ‘you go for it girl!’ from her friends and Alanah waved them away feeling embarrassed. She turned back to Dan, forgetting them instantly.

Daniel sighed happily, holding his face close to hers. He gently rubbed noses with her, leaning his forehead against hers. You are gorgeous. He breathed deeply. He lifted his hands up and ran his fingers through her hair, letting it hook behind her ears, his eyes never leaving hers, an intense look on his face, like she was the only woman in the world. Alanah felt gorgeous in his arms.

Alanah had to have her try at his hair and tightened her grip around the thick hair at the nape of his neck. They kissed one last time before resting their arms around the other, they were both happy and calm staring at the other. Their hearts seemed to be in sync.

Would you mind if I went outside and had a cigarette? Alanah asked nervously.

No. Dan said unconvincingly, he had never been told she smoked.

It’s a filthy habit, I know, but for some reason it goes hand in hand with alcohol.

Social smoker. Dan said, slightly relieved. No wonder I can’t taste it in your kisses.

Afraid so. I don’t have to go. She said earnestly, not wanting to leave him and hoping it had not put him off her. She wondered now why she had suggested it.

How about I come with you? Dan asked holding out his hand to her smiling.

It would be nice to get out of the loud music for a few minutes, actually hear you without having to shout! Alanah led him out into the garden area of the club. The only upside to the lack of the ability to hear were the tingling sensations she felt every time he bent down to talk to her, his breath on her neck.

Finding an empty table, they both sat down and Alanah took out a cigarette, but didn’t light it, instead she placed it on top of the packet next to the lighter.

Not lighting up? Dan asked inquisitively. He could see she was ignoring the cigarette and couldn’t help wondering why.

Don’t feel like it anymore! Alanah blushed. I’d much rather put my lips to better use! She giggled and looked over at him with her huge green eyes.

I see! Dan smiled, a real twinkle in his eyes. He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips, lingering close to her, making Alanah’s heart skip at least two or three beats.

Definitely a better use of my lips. She smiled sheepishly, her breath rugged with anticipation. Alanah had never done this before! Sure she had danced with guys, kissed them too, but this felt different, unlike any other experience. There was a connection between the two of them that had seemed so much more than a few fleeting kisses. This felt life changing. They kissed again, intimacy feeling natural between them, as if they had been kissing for years, not just a few minutes. Dan slipped his arm around her when they eventually pulled apart and held her close to his chest. She could hear his accelerated heartbeat beneath his T-shirt.

What are you thinking? Dan smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. He felt a unique feeling in his body, one of complete calmness and utter terror, but he looked at her with tranquil eyes, not letting her see how much she was affecting him.

I don’t really know. She blushed, fearing the truth would be the worst thing possible to say. But I like being with you.

I like being with you. He leaned forward and kissed her lips gently, hugging her to his body. He would give anything to protect her. Anything.

I feel like you could be good for me. She looked away embarrassed.

Thank you. Dan smiled. I feel the same about you, but who really knows what the future holds, where we will end up. He kissed her fervently, wanting to roam around her body with his hands; he wanted to take her away from here, somewhere, anywhere but here. But he knew he couldn’t, not now, that would be for the future – he hoped. He would have to see how she would react to him once she had met the Family. That would be the true test for her, and the hardest few days of her life.

CHAPTER 2

Dan was so aware that she was attracted to him, her whole being oozed sensuality, and he realised that he would have to keep himself in check, even though he was desperate to kiss her all over. He would have to be satisfied with kissing her lips.

He took her face in his hand and gently caressed her cheek, looking into her eyes with such intense earnest, Alanah had to momentarily look away. But she soon looked back, into his soul and felt an immense calm flow through her body. She had never felt like this before, and she wanted to continue feeling it forever.

Dan kissed her so lightly that it could have been mistaken for a butterfly caressing her lips, but he intensified his kisses, moving his lips against hers, wanting to gently open them and explore, but he restrained himself, being the gentleman Alanah needed him to be.

Thoughts crossed his mind, he understood that he had to protect her, and as much as he would have loved to explain to Alanah why she should go to France now and stay there, it wasn’t exactly something he could easily tell her – he knew she would run away screaming, and he couldn’t expect anything else but that. He believed she was still a virgin, and if he could not encourage her to go to France, not being one would put her life in even more danger. It was inevitable the Family would take her, which meant he would have to plan how to escape with her.

He realised